The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the strengthening bilateral relations and increasing cooperation in various fields between India and the US. Later, Mukherjee described the 45-minute discussion as a "good meeting."

However, a press release issued by the Indian Permanent Mission in New York after the meeting, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session, did not mention whether the India-United States nuclear agreement came in for discussion.

"The two leaders considered the international situation and exchanged their views on issues of concern," stated the release.

Photograph: Jay Mandal